Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State, to Mr. Fish, district attorney.
July 20, 1818.
Sir: The Chevalier de Onis has represented to this department that the owners of the American privateer, the True-Blooded Yankee, are fitting her out in New York to cruise off the harbor of Cadiz, in Spain, under the flag of the government of Buenos Ayres, with a view to the capture of the vessels of his sovereign and of the subjects of the Crown of Spain. You will lose no time in setting on foot the necessary inquiry in relation to the facts alleged by the Chevalier de Onis, and in taking [Page 482] the proper measures to frustrate the plan of the adventurers, if his information is found to be correct. You will likewise in this case institute the proper legal remedies for the punishment of this violation of the law, and make a statement to this Department of the result of your inquiries and of the steps you shall have taken.
Jonathan Fish, Esq.